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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Chap."f-?-ii. Copyright No._ 
Shelf.J_3-3.. 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




l^ 




PiiOTOGRy'\piiic Views 

EN ROUTE TO 

THE KLONDIKE 



VIA THE 



SKAGUAY AND DYEA TRAILS 

. . . COMPKISINC. . . . 

A Series of Phot.ograplAS showiiici the K'loiidik'e ds it. rc^alK' i 

. . . INCl.UDINCi . . . 
ACCURATE AND AUTHENTIC VIEWS PORTKAYINC THE 
METHOD OF PACKING SUPPLIES BY HORSES, BURROS, 
DOGS AND OXEN; MANNER OF TOWING PROVISIONS 
UP THE RIVERS; FREIGHTING BY CANOES. ....... 

Picturesque Lake Lindennan; tin- famous Chilkoot Pass route 

over tiie mountains: lorcliiici the Rapids and incidents 

of camp life in the placer mines of Alaska. 



s. 



^ 



W. B. CONKEY COMPANY 

CHICAGO «« NEW YORK 




TWO mi'm ni.^t\ 



.u 



1892 



COPYRIGHT. 1897, BY F. LAROCHE, 
SEATTLE. WASH. 



COPVHIGMT APPLIED hOH IN GREAT RRITAIN 
CAN IDA AND AUSTRALIA. 



INTRODUCTORY. 

=-5 a resident of Seattle, "The Gateway of the New Eldorado," 1 

^ was brought directly into touch with the actual circumstances 

surrounding the discovery of gold in the Yukon Valley. " Seeing 

is believing," and realizing that many conflicting statements had 

been made regarding this interesting region, i decided to organize 

a party for the purpose of taking views along the Skakuay and 

Dyea trails, in order that prospective gold seekers might see for 

themselves the route they must travel in going to the Klondike. The 

series of photographs here presented embody an authentic itinerary of a trip to the gold 

fields of Alaska and show the Klondike as it really is. in procuring these views my 

object was not merely to select picturesque scenes but to faithfully portray noteworthy 

points and objects of interest in a journey to the Valley of the Yukon, and they will 

afford many suggestions to those who have decided to hazard their fortunes in the Placer 

mines of the Northwest. To others, a panorama of Alaskan scenes should prove 

exceedingly interesting. 

F. La ROCHE. 




CONTENTS. 



Off for Klondike, 

Steamers at Skaguay, 
Steamer Queen Unloading, and Three Others, 
Burro Pack Train, Dyea Point, 
Healy & Wilson's Store, 
Klondike Wagon Loaded, 
Indian Canoes, 

Don-a Wok, Old Chilkoot Chief, and Chief Isaac, 
Fording Dyea River, 
Towing Provisions, 

Camp Life at Finnegan's Point, 
A Party of Variety Actresses on Contract for Two Seasons, 
Indians Freighting Up River, 
Indians Poling Canoes Up River, 
Pack Oxen on Trail, 
Dogs Packing on Trail, 

Looking South from Foot of Dyea Canon, 
A Packer's Home, 
Washing Out Gold, 

Dyea Trail Blocked by Fallen Horse, 
Collecting Toll, 

Front Street at Settlement, 
Sheep Camp, 
Packers on Trail, 
fvlear Scales, 



Pack Horses on Edge of Precipice, 
Forty-five Degree Incline, 

Near Summit of Chilknot Pass, 
Looking South from Pass, 

On the Summit of Chilkoot Pass, 
Glacier, Summit of Pass, 
Crater Lake, 

Fifty Tons of Provisions, 
Actresses Bound for Klondike, 
Rev. Mr. Young and Dr. McEwen, 
Camp at Lake Linderman, 
Shipyard, Lake Linderman, 

Leaving Head of Lake Linderman for Klondike, 
End of Skaguay Trail, 
Rapids Between Lakes, 
Lake Bennett, 
Precipice, Porcupine Hill, 
On Porcupine Hill, 

Hungry Man's Retreat. 

Bridge Over Porcupine Creek, 
Pack Train at Little Lake, 
Blacksmith Shop, 

Skaguay at High Tide. 

Skaguay and Three Other Pici 
Skaguay Harbor, 




OFF FDR KI.OXDIKK. The steamer "Mexico" leaving Seattle last July with 430 passengers and g4i tons of provisions 
and supplies for the Klondike gold fields. " God does not give us many scenes like this," says the poet Joaquin Miller, whose strik- 
ing figure is clearly outlined on the upper deck, who goes to describe to a waiting world the new El Dorado and the iournev thither. 
.Mr. Miller can be plainly seen in the engraving, as indicated by the (x) above his head. 12091.) 




STEAMERS Al' SKAGl'AV. 



The excursion steamer "Queen" and the steamship "Geo. W. Elder" at Skaguay, 
SlsaRuay Harbor, head of steamship navigation on Lynn Canal, too miles from Juneau and g84 miles from Seattle. Skaguay, point 
of departure for the Skaguay Trail leading over White Pass, about a half-mile distant, Dyea about six miles around the ixiint of 
lanil on the right. (2000.) 




I. .Steamer Queen iinlnadiiiu klondikcrs .iiid their mitnts upuii scow at Dyea. Although Dvea is the point of 
departure lor the Chilkoot Pass, wliarf facilities were then only in process of construction, and the hundreds of Roldseckers who 
crossed the Lhilkoot during the past summer were taken from the steamers in this manner. 

• ■■ r*^." ^''^'' "*^^'' ^''«^SP Camp.— .Approaching the timber line among the rocks anil stumps; a difficult and uncomfortable 
portion or the route. 

3. .Scow load of Klundikers being towed ashore at lOyea.— .As the tide rises here between twenty and thirty feet, the 
scows are towed near shore at the flood and at the ebb are left high and dry on the sandy beach. Wagons are driven out as soon 
as the receding water jiermits and passengers and freight transferred to tiiem. 

4. Indians towing canoe up Dyea River.— One of the many methods of taking outfits up the Uyea River to head of canoe 
navigation. Here you see two Indians wading in the river pulling the boat with a rope, while the squaws sit in the canoe to guide it. 




BURRO PACK TRAIN', DYEA POINT. — By this means supplies are taken for some distance up the trail. During the 
past summer the charge was 38 cents per pound from Uvea over the Chilkoot Pass to Lake I.indcrman, a distance of twentv-nine 
miles. There were com|)aratively few [jack animals on the Dyea trail last summer, l)ut the charges were about the same whatever 
means of packing were employed. (2002.) 




HEALY & WILSON'S STORE, DYEA, AXD OLD TRADING POST AND POST OFFICE.-Here too is the Chilkoot 
Indian village and loo'or more tents of the Indian packers. These Indians found the past summer an astonishingly profitable one.by 
reason of the great rush to the gold fields, and they are naturally looking forward to the coming year with great expectation. (2003.) 





KLONDIKE WAGON LOADED WITH FROVISIONS.-An enterprising Dyea storekeeper had a dozen of these wagons 
which he rented for 8i an hour. An advance payment of $20 had to be made to secure the owner against unforeseen accident or 
lapse of memory. These carts carried a load of from 600 to 1,000 pounds, thus enabling a whole outfit to be moved at once. (2004.) 




1\DIA\ CANOES.-Forty-Ind.an 'canoes at Dyea on Sunday, on wlueh day the Chilkoots will not work for any price; most 
of them are consistent members of the Presbyterian church, thoroughly trustworthy, and. as packers, to be preferred to wh.te men. 
Their church services are held each Sunday atlDyea in a tent. These canoes when loaded are towed about six miles up Dyea 
River to head of canoe navigation. (2005.) 





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FORDING DYEA RIVER. — Fording Dyea River at the second crossing, about two miles above tlie first. These men are 
crossing with perhaps 1,000 pounds of provisions. In September the river here was not far from 100 feet wi<ie and 18 inches deep. 
In spring the melting snows sometimes increases the depth of water to four feet or more. (2010.) 




^■O'^^'iX^^ PROVISIONS LIP nvi: A RI\-ER-\Vhich exhibits another metlunl of moving supplies on toward the gold fields 
Twelve hundred pounds are here loaded upon a tlat-bottonied boat, which is being pulled upstream to the head of 
about SIX Hides north of Dyea. (201 1.) 



canoe navigation, 




CAMP LIFE AT FINNEGAN'S POINT.— This is but one of the seventy-five camps in this neighborhood at the time this 
view was made. This point is where the river is forded for the last time, the crossing farther up being made on logs. Each 
individual camp exists only until all the supplies belonging to it are packed to some point farther on. (2013.) 







I 



-'014. Aclrcssc-s on Wav 



A PAKIY ()!• VARIETY ACTRESSES ON CUNTRAC 1' FOR TWO SEASONS AT DAWSON CITV.— A provision 
of the contract called for their transportation from Juneau to Dawson in eighteen days, a remarkably quick trip. Four of them are 
here fording the river with high rubber boots, while the fifth, not so well supplied, is being carried across the stream. (2014.) 




INDIANS FRKIGHTING UP DVEA RIVER WITH CANOES, the squaws riding ami guiding, tlie men on ahead towing 
with long ropes. These boats are regular dug-outs, made from large timber, and drawing Imt eight inches <>f water, yet carrying a 
thousand pounds or more of freight. (2015.) 




INDIANS FOLING CANOE UP DYEA RIVER.— These arc Metlakallce Itjclians from the mission schools three or four 
hundred miles below. They have in transit a knock-down boat, the bow of which is plainly vi-<ible. They received S200 for taking 
two such boats from head of canoe navigation to the summit of the Chilkoot. a distance of lo,'-< miles. (2016.) 




PACK 
having made 
was killed at 
(2018.) 



OXE\ ON DVEA TRAIL.-In the foreground are four Indian packers returning from the summit of Chilkoot, 

S.8 each for their days labor. Oxen are regarded as the most desirable of all pack animals m summer. One of these 

Lake Linderman, and the heart sold for $7. the head for S.2.50, and the balance of the animal for 50 cents a pound. 




2019. Dogs Packing; 0,1 pyea Trail. 



Copyright. 1S97, La Roche, Seattle, Wash 



DOGS PACKING ON DYEA TRAIL. — Dogs are most valuable in winter, as they are then attached to sleds and will draw 
loo pounds t^vxnty miles or more a day, five or six being^usually harnessed to each sled. On the river bank maybe seen two of 



the knock-down boats awaiting the packers. (2019.) 




LOOKING SOUTH FROM FOOT OF DVEA CANON— Showing at a glance the route thus far traversed for a distance of 
seven miles or more. The country here gives every evidence of having been at some past time the bed of a great glacial river 
between one and two miles wide. (2024.) 




IJ: l il!JJillii.i.itJij. T .n.H4i4Ml 



A PALl^t-K S HOMK, K)OT OF DYEA CAN'OX.-Slu.uins how readily a temporarv abiding place may be improvised 
by spread>ng a tablecloth across poles which lean against the towering walls of the caiion. This style of architecture would not 
seem to afford much protection against an Arctic winter, but serves" to exclude sonic of the summer's sun and rain co-6 ) 







iiiL' Out Cnld. 



WASHING OUT GOLD. — Xo one except the person who has actually assisted in the work of niakini; the test shown above 
can fully appreciate the intense anxiety at such a moment. The result may mean a great deal — it may mean nothing. It the latter, 
the only thing to do is to move the camp and make another trial. (2027.) 




DYEA IRAIL BLUCKKU BV FALLEN HORSE.— Showing the toilsome march of a pack tram, as in Indian lile 
It pursues its arduous way. A fallen horse in front has compelled all to stop until the animal is unloaded and assisted 
to regain its feet. Here too is shown in the foreground two men carrying a section of a boat; but even short as it appears, 
they were compelled, a little farther on, to cut it in two to enable them to take it through. (2030.; 




COLLECTING TOLL, DVEA TRAIL. — The toll bridge, where 50 cents is charged for each horse belonging to a miner, 
in return for which the trail is kept passable for a distance of some six mile?, is ten miles from Dyea, in a region quite thickly 
wooded with .Alaska cedar, five miles from "The Scales," and five and one-half miles from the summit of Chilkoot Fass. (2031.) 




FROXT STREET AT SHEEP CAMP SETTLEMEXT.— This is the principal camp on the Dyea Trail. In August 
and September there were a thousand or more people encamped hare. The log structure on the left was the leading hotel, 
where you might eat for 75 cents, and sleep on the floor for 50 cents, if you furnished your own bedding. Beyond here 
a meal could not be had at any price. (2033.) 




^''^■'t' >-<iti) ]ifc3 Trgjl. 



Copyri^htadl, 1X07 h' 



SHEEP CAMP, LOOKING SOUTH. — A bird's-eye view of the Sheep Camp, so called from the niouiitaiii sheep which, 
were formerly plentiful in this section. Jiist above the tent on the left may be seen the last log crossing of Dyea River 
To the right of this are a luiniber of tents destroyed by the glacier which fell about the middle of September. (2092) 




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NEAR SCALES, SHOWING SUMMIT OF CHlLKOOr PASS.--Amons the barren rocks, with the Chilkoot summit in 
the distance, at the indenture just above the trail at the skyHne. (2038.) 




PACK HORSES OX EDGE OF PRECIPICE, CHILKOOT PASS.-This is the end of the available trail for pack animals 
fifteen miles from Dyea. Animals have been taken over the pass from this point, but without load, and usually with considerable 
effort. (2039.) 




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LOOKING SOUTH FROM SUMMIT OF CHILKOOT PASS— A magtiificent panorama of a route traversed for the last 
seventy-five years liy the Indians and during the past summer by at least 4,000 goldseekers. It was the glacier on the right that 
broke, destroying a number of tents on the Sheep Camp, in September. (2037.) 




ON THE SUMMIT OF CHILKOOT PASS.— Showing the character of this route over the mountains, with its huge blocks 
of broken granite scattered about in the most inextricable confusion. (2044.) 




CLACIER, SUMMIT OF CHILKOOT PASS.— The man on the left is packing a section of a boat; 
Alaskan glacier. The dark shadows show the meeting point of two trails over the snow fields. (2045.) 



the foreground is ai: 




CRATER LAKE, DYEA TRAIL. — A marvelous panorama, with snow-capped mountain peaks in the distance. Crater Lake 
is an exquisitely colored sheet of water some two miles long, across which travelers are ferried in sunmier for 50 cents each. (2046.) 




FIFTY TONS OF PROVISIONS STORED AT CRATER LAKE, which have been freighted across the lake in the flat 
bottomed canoe seen in the foreground and now lie scattered about among the rocks awaiting transportation through the rocky 
defile leading onward from the right of the photograph, a distance of one and one-half miles, to Happy Camp. (2048. 1 




ACTRESSES BOUND 



-1^1 jsi:...! . i.v.^ .^ FOR THE KLONDIKE, AT HAPPY CAMP.-They have crossed the pass and_are now fifteen 
miles from the point at which we first saw them fording the river. They have discarded skirts and are wearing a costume better 
fitted for mountain climbing a.id long marches. They have apparently enjoye.l the trip thus far, bnt are still 500 miles from thcr 
destination, Dawson City. (204q.i 




REV. MR. YOUNG AND DR. McEWEN, PRESBYTERIAN MI.SSK)NARIE.S BDL'NU lOK KLONDIKE, AT LONt; 
LAKE. — All classes of people are on the way to the golden North missionaries as well as variety actresses. Rev. Mr. Young, on 
the left, is one of the oldest mission workers in Alaska, havinsj established the mission at Fort Wrangel many years ago. (2050 




CAMP AT LAKE LIN'DERMAX. -Four miles lieyoiul the mission camp ue liave this l)ii<rs-eye view of Lake I.iii(ieiiiiaii 
Camp, containing, when the view was taken in September, 1897, 400 tents, and at least 1,000 people, mainly engaged in the 
1 uiklii g cf heats for transportation of themselves and outfits on through lakes and rivers to the gold fields. {2055.) 




SHIP YARD, LAKE LINDERMAN — Without doubt the busiest scene along the whole route. Scores of men were 
here, always at work constructing boats for descending the waterways to the Yukon. Timber is found in the immediate 
vicinity, and logs of about seven inches in diameter are cut to desired length, rolled upon a staging and whipsawed into the 
required shape. Thus a week or more is cmiiloyed in Iniihling a boat for the long journey north, (jajy.) 




LEA\'IN'G HEAD OF LAKE LIXDERMAN FOR THE KLONDIKE.- These boats are fully loaded, and are leaving 
for the Xorth; and, with favorable weather, the journey can be made to Dawson City in about two weeks. If winds are 
favorable, the sail is used; if not, the boat is rowed the length of Lake Linderman — six miles — to the rapids. Half-way 
down the lake is the boundary line between Alaska and Canada. (2058.) 




END (JF SKAGUAV rKAll,. LAKH LIXDKRMAN.-Uyea Irail, anuimi the point en the lelt. six miles away, 
at the head of the lake. From the lake, the Skaguay or White Pass Trail leads up over the incline amonjf the woods in the 
foreground. At the foot of the incline is a quantity of supplies awaiting packers. (2065.) 




RAPIDS BETWEEX LAKES LL\DEK.\L\\ AND BENXETT -Around which all ,i;oc<l.s are carried, and thr 
empty boats carefully floated tliroush the rapids by means of ropes. The camp in the background is that of the Canadian 
police, where the customs collections will likely l)e made another year, although up to September none were made. In tin- 
distance is Lake Bennett. {2062.; 




LAKE BENNETT.- There is often a (lisagrec:il)le and vexatious delay, owing to lii.irh winds that prevail here from 
the north, making it dangerous to cross with small boats. {.2063.1 







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ON PORCUIMNK 1\CI.IM.,>KAGIA\ IKAII.. W liat is kii.iwii as llic swiuli-hack, mic aiul a liall miles below the 
precipice, a zigzag patli among the rocks and trees. In the background is seen a loaded horse on its way to Lake Linderman. The 
Indians will not use this trail. (2067.) 




ui>-vvu.v MXVX RKTRKAT Vl' IHlRCLl'IM- CRKKK. SKACl.W IRAl 1..-A icsuuinintin the wiUlcn.ess where 
,ou pi;; a d!,;!;: ^i^J^a of!;:: 'Jtd:'::::).:. .u,. ,ooU„. U.. .. one. appe.,e is such, after these wearv .arches, .ha. 
anything is eaten with a relish. (2069.) 




BRIDCK ()\ ER PORCLTINK CREKK, SKACL'AV TRAIL.— This bridjje is about seven miles from Skaguav. From 
liere to the summit of Porcupine Hill the trail leads through a thickly wooded district along the side of the mountain: this is had 
clnnbiiig up sharply for 700 feet. The tin^e allowed for climbing four miles is usually four hours, 12070.J 










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upv light. I ^'.17. l.a Roche, Seattle, Wash. 



PACK TRAIN Al' LITTLt: OR BLACK LAKK.SKACirAV TRAIL.— This l.eautiful lake is al)out five miles from Skaguay, 
with the trail leading along the left-hand shore for a distance of about one-half mile: the opposite shore is a perpendicular bluff 
trom 100 to 600 feet high. (2074.) 





BLACKSMITH SHOP AT SK'AGUAV.— Here the blacksmith charges $6 for shoeing a horse and Sio for shoeing oxen; in 
the latter part uf August, 1897, during the horseshoe nail famine, as much as Si was paid for a nail. 12079.1 




SKACUAV AT HIGH THJE, SEPTEMBER 12, i8g7--Bv ''"'ki'ii; ;il tht- small |,k tiirc .il' Skuiiuav niailc Aut;ll^l 1. 
will see hi)W the maijic city has inii>rove(l in thirty days. (J0S7.1 




1. SKAGl'AV, JUL\' 26, i8q7. — Showing the town site, where in three months' time a city containing 4,000 inhabitants 
was built up. 

2. P. C. S. S. GO'S STEAMER "QUEEN" unloading the first load of Klondike miners at Skaguay, after the excitement 
began. Capt. James Carroll, of this boat, was the first man to run a large steamer to the new wharf, and proved that the Skaguay 
Harbor was of sufficient depth to be practicable for boats drawing seventeen feet of water. 

3. .SKAGU.AY, AUGUST 12, 1897. — Showing the city all built up of tents. September 30 the tents had all disappeareJ and 
a well-built town, with broad streets and sidewalks ai'.d two and ihree story houses, had been completed; every line of business was 
represented. 

4. MINERS AT SKAGUAY, AUGUST 12, 1897.— Preparing for the journey to the Klondike. 




SKAGUAY HARBOR, SHOWING POINT OF LAND SEPARATING DYEA BAY FROM SKAGUAY.- This photo was 
taken September 12, 1897, at high tide, showing piles driven for one of the three wharfs that were in course of construction; also 
showing boats used in bringing passengers and outfits from the steamers to the shore, and for transporting from Skaguay to Dyea. 
around the point of land seen in the center of the picture. Distance from Skaguay to Dyea. five and one-half miles. When the 
tide is out the boats and scows are left high and dry on the beach, when wagons are driven to the boats and outfits unloaded and 
taken on the wagons up the trail to Ragtown, throe and one-half miles. (2080.) 



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